Jaw-trap.



H. SIGMAN.

. JAW TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17, 1909. 966,6 1 2. Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

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i d 2 $Q QIW urrnn srarns HARRY SIGMAN, OF VOLTAIBE, NORTH DAKOTA.

JAW-TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

Application filed. September 17, 1909. Serial No. 518,231.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY SIGMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Voltaire, in the county of McHenry and State of NorthDakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Jaw-Traps,of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements injaw traps.

The object of my invention is to provide a light, positively operatingtrap, arranged to be placed in the trail or path traveled by the animalto be caught, the trap being hit and sprung in touching a triggerstrand.

Another object is to provide a game trap so constructed that the samecan be folded to form a neat and compact package when the same is not inuse.

ith the above and other objects in view, the present invention consistsin the com? bination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinaftermore fully described and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims, it being understood that changes in the specific structure shownand described may be made within the scope of the claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in whichlike numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views,Figure 1 shows an elevational view of the trap set, Fig. 2 shows a topview of the trap set, Fig. 3 shows an elevational view disclosing thetrap as sprung, Fig. 4 shows a side view of the trap as set, Fig. 5shows the trap as folded.

In carrying out the aim of my invention, I employ a U-shaped leaf spring5, having a bolt opening 6 at one end, and the eye 7 at the other, theeye and bolt openings being made to register when the spring is in acompressed condition. Held within the bolt opening 6 is the slotted bolt8 having the securing stem 9, extending through the bolt opening 6,while held within the slotted endof the bolt is the pin 10.

Pivotally held upon the stem 9, is the trigger bar 12, the outer end ofthe extension 9 being flanged to hold the trigger bar to the end of thespring as disclosed. This trigger bar 12 is provided with the opening 14arranged to receive a securing screw 4, or the link of a suitablesecuring chain. As shown, the outer end of this trigger bar js slightlycurved upward and ends in the Pivot-ally held upon the pin 10, are thetwo similar curved jaws 16 and 18, each being provided with an aperture20 as disclosed. Held within the aperture 20 is the pin 22 whichpivotally supports the latch 23 having the perforations 24 at one endand the engaging lip 25 at the other. This lip 25 is arranged forcoaction with the end of the trigger bar 12.

Extending from the aperture 20 within the arm 18, is a pliableconnect-ion 26 in the form of a wire or chain which has its endconnected to the latch 23, this pliable connection 26 being so arrangedthat when the trap is set, this connection 26 spans the distance betweenthe points of the aws as disclosed in Fig. 1. The trap may be secured toa suitable base 3 by means of the screw 1 as shown in the drawings, orthe trap may be anchored by means of a chain as has been set forth.

The operation of setting the trap is very simple. The trap having beenproperly located, the operator depresses the leaf spring so that thejaws can be carried into a horizontal position enabling the operator tobring the latch 23 into engagement with the latch bar 12. The trap canthen be entirely covered with leaves or any other suitable material.

In use, and while the trap is set, the trigger bar is held at rightangles to the spring. While not in use, however, this trigger bar isbrought into alinement with the leaf spring, which is then depressed sothat both of the aws may be brought and be folded upon the upper memberof the spring the jaws then being secured by means of wire. In thiscompact condition the folded trap makes a small package, so that thesame may be conveniently carried by the trapper or hunter, or beconveniently stored away.

The trap is simple and inexpensive in construction, and both durable andefficient in' operation.

What is claimed is:

1. A trap having in combination the following instrumentalities to wit,a U-shaped spring having an eye at one end and a bolt opening at theother, a slotted bolt within said opening, and at times projectingthrough said eye, two similar jaws pivotally carried by said bolt, alatch bar pivotally extending from said bolt, a latch pivotally carriedby one of said jaws for engagement with said latch bar, and a connectionextending from said latch to said remaining jaw.

2. In combination, a U-shaped leaf spring j having an eye at one end anda bolt opening at the other, said eye and opening registering, a slottedbolt within said opening arranged at times to project through said eye,a trigger bar pivotally carried by said bolt, a pin within the slottedend of said bolt, two similar curved jaws pivotally carried by said pineach having an aperture near its gripping point, a pin within one ofsaid apertures, a latch having a lip pivotally carried 15 In testimonywhereof I aflix my signature, 20

in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY SIGMAN.

Witnesses:

E. R. DENNISON, F. A. NELSON.

